Email Day

 Email

January 14,2025

Dear Friends and Family,

    Happy New Year 2025!  Here in Sierra Leone this is still a common greeting even though it is January 13th. They say, "Season's Greeting" or "compliments of the Season." Then they will say "Tell God Tenky." Meaing tell God thank you.

    Elder Thacker and I are very grateful for the opportunity to serve a mission.  Each day we learn more about our Savior, ourselves, and love the people here in a deeper way.  We tend to be writing emails and posting on facebook less often because life just feels normal.  We are very busy in the work and wonder how we will get it all done.  Sounds like life at home doesn't it.

   We work a lot with the Young Single Adults.  They have grabbed a piece of our hearts.  West Africa has a program designed to teach skill training so they can hopefully learn a skill so they can become self-reliant.  One night is an institute, one night is different skill trades, and another night is just an activity.  Tonight I taught at an institute. Without giving the lesson in this email, I had them make paper airplanes.  I asked who had ever made a paper airplane.  There were 32 attending the class and only 1 had ever made one!  Crazy to imagine isn't it?  I gave them printed instructions and then did a demonstration. They had such a fun time. It was enjoyable to watch them try to fly them.  They simply had no idea.  After the game, they gave me back the paper and straightened and smoothed each one out.  I can't describe how blown away I was.  Paper is a special commodity that is not taken lightly.  Can you imagine, thinking it is wasteful to make a toy with paper and then discard the paper?

   Elder Thacker and I are learning as much Krio as we can.  We find that we now understand most of what is being said.  The YSA have learned that they can't hide their conversation from us so that is fun to keep them on their toes.  Krio is a broken English language.  We have learned to say several things, but full conversations are still hard.  When we say phrases in Krio the people just laugh in surprised enjoyment.

  Many may wonder what MLS couple missionaries do?  The answer is different for all couples.  We just try to see the need for training and jump in.  We get to help with baptism every other Saturday.  Elder Thacker fills the font still with jerry cans filled from someone drawing water from a deep well.   I have found and cleaned, and repaired the baptism clothing, and purchased towels (mind you a new towel is a used towel that someone donated to the DI and sold for new here in Sierra Leone.).  We now have them organized and in a cabinet.  Before, the clothing was mistreated, or never washed, and got lost in the commotion of the day.  There was 1 towel shared by the many candidates. These are just small items and contributions that in the states we take for granite.  I think often of the one called to fill our font in the stake, and the array of soft plush white towels and stacks of clothing in our closets.

   I have been praying for a mission experience.  Elder Thacker has taught me to invite someone each week to church.  I followed his encouragement.  It was over 2 weeks ago that I invited my neighbor.  Yesterday as we pulled out of our compound there she was dressed and ready with her sweet little 1 year old Susan to go with us to our church.  What a sweet experience.  Susan has stolen our heart and helped us not miss our grandchildren quite so much.

  It is a blessing to be able to serve.  We will forever be grateful for this opportunity.  Sierra Leone is changing me for the better in so many ways.

  Thank you for your love, prayers, and support.  We feel it and are encouraged by each of you.

Love, Elder and Sister Thacker

Pictures:  Baptism day, the first Sunday of the year was filled to overflow capacity, sending a new missionary off. (We miss him so much), road trip and new friends